The Ultimate South Florida Thanksgiving Dining Guide 2026: Where to Feast, Celebrate and Leave the Cooking to Someone Else

From Thomas Keller's elegant Thanksgiving at The Surf Club to oceanfront celebrations, Italian feasts, Michelin-starred dining and chef-prepared dinners at home, here's where South Florida is gathering on November 26.

There is a particular moment in every Thanksgiving kitchen when the romance of preparing a holiday feast gives way to the reality of cooking one. The turkey needs another hour, the potatoes are cooling, somebody has forgotten the cranberry sauce, and the person responsible for bringing dessert is still somewhere on I-95.

Fortunately, South Florida's restaurant community has been preparing for precisely this situation.

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, this year, and the region's chefs are approaching the holiday with a remarkable range of interpretations. Thomas Keller is serving slow-roasted turkey with black truffle macaroni and cheese at The Surf Club. In the Design District, L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon is offering a five-course dinner that includes foie gras, caviar and a choice of venison or turkey. At the newly renovated Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, the holiday table extends to prime rib, lobster tails and a chilled seafood bar overlooking the Atlantic.

There are also less formal ways to celebrate. Italian restaurants are making room for pumpkin tortellini and truffle stuffing, waterfront destinations are preparing elaborate buffets, and several of Miami's best-known chefs are offering complete holiday meals for those who would rather entertain at home.

The choices reflect something appealing about Thanksgiving in South Florida. Traditions matter, but they have never prevented us from borrowing a good idea from another kitchen.

Whether you're planning an elaborate family gathering, an intimate dinner for two or a holiday that involves absolutely no washing up, these are the Thanksgiving experiences worth considering.

The Grand Thanksgiving Tables

The Surf Club Restaurant: Thanksgiving, the Thomas Keller Way

Surfside | $245 per person

At The Surf Club Restaurant, Thanksgiving will be treated with the same precision and ceremony that have made Thomas Keller one of America's most influential chefs. The holiday menu begins with Eggs Royale, cheddar grissini and garden vegetable crudité, followed by a fall salad with roasted squash, apple, pear and spiced pepitas, alongside Gulf prawn cocktail.

The centerpiece is slow-roasted Green Circle turkey breast with confit leg, sage gravy and cranberry-blood orange relish. Accompanying it are country bread stuffing with garlic sausage and leek confit, garnet yams with brown-butter gingersnap streusel, green bean casserole with mushroom velouté, buttermilk whipped potatoes and black truffle macaroni and cheese.

Guests can add Regiis Ova caviar or ricotta gnudi with shaved white truffles from Alba for an additional charge. Pumpkin pie with toasted meringue and bourbon pecan pie provide a reassuringly traditional finish.

The $245 menu carries an additional 18 percent service charge. For those who appreciate the ceremony of a beautifully orchestrated holiday meal, this promises to be one of Miami's most refined Thanksgiving tables.

View the Menu here.
Reservations: The Surf Club Restaurant | 305-768-9440

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon: A Five-Course French Thanksgiving

Miami Design District | $325 per person | 4–9 p.m.

At Miami's two-Michelin-starred L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Executive Chef James Friedberg has created a five-course Thanksgiving menu that moves between French haute cuisine and familiar holiday flavors.

The progression begins with foie gras royale and Parmesan foam, followed by raw madai with caviar, roasted celeriac with spiced pumpkin purée and olive oil-poached Icelandic halibut. For the main course, diners choose between juniper-scented venison saddle and organic turkey with traditional stuffing. Dessert offers caramelized apple mille-phyllo or pumpkin cheesecake mousse with ginger ice cream.

It's an ambitious alternative to the usual turkey dinner, especially appealing to diners who consider Thanksgiving an opportunity for an exceptional tasting menu.

Reservations: Available through the restaurant's SevenRooms or OpenTable booking pages.

Le Jardinier: A Lighter Expression of the Holiday

Miami Design District | $185 per person | 12:30–9 p.m.

A few steps away, Le Jardinier offers a three-course Thanksgiving menu from Executive Chef James Friedberg and Chef de Cuisine Mario da Silva, emphasizing the seasonal vegetables and elegant preparations for which the restaurant is known.

Following a deviled egg topped with trout roe, guests can choose among a fall salad with fennel-citrus emulsion, butternut squash velouté with cured duck breast or octopus with chickpea purée and pomegranate. Main courses include Faroe Island salmon, braised beef cheek and organic turkey with cranberry compote.

Crispy Brussels sprouts, mushroom stuffing and mashed potatoes arrive for the table, followed by a choice of caramelized apple with crispy phyllo or pumpkin cheesecake mousse.

For those seeking a more restrained approach to Thanksgiving without sacrificing a sense of occasion, Le Jardinier offers a particularly attractive option.

Bourbon Steak: Michael Mina's Steakhouse Thanksgiving

Aventura | $220++ per person | From 4 p.m.

At Bourbon Steak inside JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina is presenting a Thanksgiving prix-fixe dinner for $220 per person, before applicable taxes and service charges.

The holiday offers an opportunity to experience Thanksgiving through the lens of one of South Florida's established luxury steakhouses. Full course details have not yet been provided, so guests should consult the restaurant before reserving.

Reservations: Bourbon Steak Miami

Thanksgiving With an Italian Accent

CARBONE Miami: Spicy Rigatoni Meets Thanksgiving Turkey

Miami Beach | $225 per person | 3–9 p.m.

At CARBONE, the Thanksgiving table will look reassuringly familiar to anyone who loves the restaurant's exuberant Italian-American cooking.

The four-course, family-style dinner begins with Caesar alla ZZ, shrimp cocktail, Carpaccio Piemontese and prosciutto with pear. Then comes the pasta course: Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, Pumpkin Tortellini and Mario's Meatballs.

The turkey arrives glazed, accompanied by cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash agrodolce and cranberry mostarda. Pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake conclude the meal.

It's an unapologetically generous interpretation of Thanksgiving, with enough CARBONE signatures to make the occasion feel distinctly different from dinner at home.

Reservations: Through CARBONE's Resy booking page.

CARBONE VINO: A Family-Style Feast in Coconut Grove

Coconut Grove | $175 per person | 2–9 p.m.

CARBONE VINO offers a similar four-course celebration at a lower price, bringing the group's Italian-American approach to Coconut Grove.

Expect shrimp cocktail, prosciutto and pear, Carpaccio Piemontese and Caesar alla ZZ, followed by Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, Pumpkin Tortellini and Mario's Meatballs. Glazed turkey breast comes with cornbread stuffing, squash agrodolce, mashed potatoes and cranberry mostarda, with pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.

For a large family gathering where passing plates is part of the pleasure, the format feels particularly appropriate.

Felice Brickell: Thanksgiving in Tuscany

Brickell | Four-course holiday menu

Felice is keeping the turkey but giving nearly everything around it a Tuscan accent.

The four-course menu begins with Crema di Zucca, a roasted pumpkin soup with porcini mushrooms, chestnuts, toasted seeds and gorgonzola fondue. A pasta course of ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano and turkey tortello follows, dressed with porcini, black truffle and chestnut ragout.

Roasted stuffed turkey breast arrives with chestnuts, mashed sweet potatoes and braised Brussels sprouts, while dessert takes the form of Salame al Cioccolato, a traditional Italian confection made with dark chocolate, biscuits and cognac.

The restaurant's Italian wine program offers a natural accompaniment to the meal. Pricing was not included in the announcement.

Information: Felice Brickell

Donna Mare: An Italian Holiday by the Beach

Miami Beach | $89 per person | 5–10 p.m.

At Donna Mare Italian Chophouse inside Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Thanksgiving will feature a three-course menu with slow-roasted organic turkey, Italian sausage, focaccia and truffle stuffing.

Alternatives include rosemary and garlic prime rib for an additional $15 and handmade spinach-and-ricotta ravioli. Family-style sides include Parmigiano mashed potatoes and maple-roasted sweet potatoes, while pumpkin tiramisu and pear-and-almond crostata offer an Italian finish.

A children's menu costs $29 for ages 4–12, and optional wine pairings are $65.

Contessa Miami: A Northern Italian Thanksgiving Without the Turkey Requirement

Miami Design District | À la carte | Lunch and dinner

Contessa is keeping its regular à la carte menu available on Thanksgiving, a welcome option for diners who prefer to celebrate without following a prescribed holiday menu.

The restaurant's Northern Italian cooking includes Piemontese carpaccio, whipped ricotta, tortellini en brodo, spicy lobster capellini, truffle pizza, veal Milanese and bistecca Fiorentina.

Lunch runs from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. The two-story dining room and alfresco terrace make it suitable for both family gatherings and a more intimate celebration.

Thanksgiving With an Ocean View

Luma at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne: An Italian-Inspired Feast by the Atlantic

Key Biscayne | $195++ adults; $79++ children ages 4–12 | 12:30–9 p.m.

Following the resort's extensive renovation, Luma is celebrating its first Thanksgiving since reopening with La Tavola del Ringraziamento, an expansive Italian-inspired holiday feast.

The menu includes Bell & Evans roasted turkey, herb-marinated prime rib, seared diver scallops with butternut squash purée and black truffle beurre blanc, and salmon en croûte with mustard velouté.

A chilled seafood and raw bar adds Key West shrimp, Maine lobster tails, oysters and caviar, while seasonal sides and holiday desserts complete the experience.

The Atlantic Ocean setting makes this an especially appealing choice for families who want to turn Thanksgiving into an afternoon at one of South Florida's most beautiful resorts. Children three and younger dine complimentary.

Information: The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne

Burlock Coast: Thanksgiving on Fort Lauderdale Beach

Fort Lauderdale | $139++ adults; $65++ children ages 5–12 | Noon–8 p.m.

Burlock Coast at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale is serving a three-course, family-style Thanksgiving meal beginning with house-made bread and whipped honey butter, butternut squash soup and fall greens with apple, cranberries, fennel, goat cheese and candied walnuts.

Roasted turkey breast with confit leg and thigh is accompanied by cornbread-sausage stuffing, whipped garlic potatoes, green beans with mushrooms and crispy onions, roasted root vegetables and cranberry sauce.

Pumpkin pie and warm apple pie complete the meal. An enhanced bottomless beverage package is available for $39.

Shooters Waterfront: A Thanksgiving Buffet on the Intracoastal

Fort Lauderdale | $95 adults; $45 children ages 4–10 | Noon–7 p.m.

For families who prefer a generous buffet and the easygoing atmosphere of the Intracoastal, Shooters Waterfront is preparing roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, prime rib au jus and traditional holiday sides.

A dedicated children's station makes it particularly practical for multigenerational gatherings, while pumpkin pie, apple cobbler and petits fours provide plenty of reasons to return to the buffet.

Information: Shooters Waterfront

Oceans 234: Thanksgiving Steps From the Sand

Deerfield Beach | $46 Thanksgiving plate

Oceans 234 offers a more straightforward coastal Thanksgiving with slow-roasted turkey breast, wild mushroom and sage stuffing, green beans almondine, crispy turkey chicharrón, Grand Marnier cranberry compote and giblet gravy.

A golden apple tart with vanilla bean ice cream is available for dessert. A gluten-free option is offered, along with a $29 children's portion.

For diners who want a traditional plate without committing to a lengthy prix-fixe experience, this is one of the more accessible waterfront options.

Vilebrequin La Plage: A French-Inspired Rooftop Thanksgiving

Miami Beach | $85 per person | Minimum two guests

At Vilebrequin La Plage, the three-course Thanksgiving menu introduces a little French coastal sensibility to the holiday.

A shaved fennel and citrus salad with goat cheese and toasted nuts precedes roasted turkey breast and confit thigh, served with pomme purée, honey cornbread, cranberry compote and gravy. Dessert is sweet potato cake with apple cider caramel and brown butter ice cream.

The restaurant's rooftop setting offers a stylish alternative to the traditional dining room.

Holiday Menus That Break With Tradition

Toro Toro: A Pan-Latin Thanksgiving Downtown

Downtown Miami | À la carte | Noon–10 p.m.

Chef Richard Sandoval's Toro Toro is introducing Thanksgiving dishes that reflect the restaurant's Pan-Latin identity.

Start with a grilled Granny Smith apple salad with kale, pomegranate, smoked blue cheese and citrus, or an avocado preparation with jumbo lump crab. Main courses include roasted turkey breast with pickled cranberries, white chocolate carrot purée and dried-fruit bread stuffing ($52), or pan-seared halibut with sweet potato mash and saffron-morita butter ($66).

A spiced pumpkin cheesecake and Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini complete the holiday offerings.

Reservations: Toro Toro Miami

Isabelle's Coconut Grove: A Four-Course Harvest Celebration

Coconut Grove | $155++ adults; $75++ children ages 3–12

At The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Isabelle's is presenting Harvest in the Grove, a four-course Thanksgiving dinner accompanied by live music and a welcome glass of bubbly.

Florida pumpkin bisque with coconut crema begins the meal, followed by an autumn salad of pear, goat cheese, pomegranate and maple-spiced pecans. Diners choose between ember-roasted heritage turkey with cornbread-chorizo stuffing and wood-fired honeynut squash with wild mushroom and ancient-grain stuffing.

Desserts include burnt pumpkin Basque cheesecake and Florida orchard bread pudding.

Seatings run from 2–5 p.m. and 6–9 p.m. Wine pairings are available for an additional $65.

Reservations: 305-644-4675

JARANA: A Peruvian Thanksgiving

Aventura | Holiday specials November 23–26

JARANA is taking a distinctly Peruvian approach to the holiday with prawn cebiche, pastel de choclo and turkey served with locro de zapallo, a kabocha squash stew with fresh cheese, adobo sauce and white rice.

Warm pecan pie with vanilla ice cream provides a familiar American conclusion.

Specials are offered November 23–25, and the restaurant will also open Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Information: JARANA Aventura

Chateau ZZ's: Thanksgiving Without the Traditional Feast

Brickell | À la carte | 4–9 p.m.

For those who would happily exchange turkey and stuffing for refined Mexican cooking, Chateau ZZ's will be open for dinner with its regular à la carte menu.

The choices include squash blossom rellenos, tuna and caviar tostadas, Wagyu and truffle preparations, grilled steaks, whole branzino and spicy lobster fideos. Churros with chocolate dipping sauce provide a suitably indulgent ending.

The restaurant's historic chateau setting offers a different kind of holiday glamour.

Sadelle's Coconut Grove: Thanksgiving Brunch

Coconut Grove | À la carte | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Thanksgiving doesn't have to revolve around a late-afternoon dinner. Sadelle's is opening its Coconut Grove location for brunch, offering the restaurant's familiar bagels, caviar selections, chopped salads, French toast and triple-decker sandwiches.

For families whose holiday plans involve an early meal or an afternoon elsewhere, it provides a useful alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving schedule.

Seia: Thanksgiving Above Brickell

Brickell | À la carte and holiday selections | 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

On the 54th floor of 830 Brickell, Seia is welcoming Thanksgiving diners with its contemporary Italian menu and additional holiday selections from Executive Chef Alessandro Marrone.

The family-style dining format, dramatic skyline views and flexibility of à la carte ordering make this an interesting choice for guests who want the occasion without committing to a conventional turkey dinner.

Thanksgiving at Home, Without the Cooking

Some of the most appealing holiday offerings this year don't require a restaurant reservation at all. South Florida chefs, bakeries and specialty markets are preparing complete meals for pickup or delivery, allowing hosts to focus on the table, the wine and their guests.

Michelle Bernstein Catering: A Chef-Prepared Thanksgiving Delivered

Serves up to 12 | $875

James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein and her team are preparing a complete Thanksgiving dinner featuring whole herb-marinated roasted turkey, traditional gravy, brioche stuffing, roasted butternut squash salad, classic sides, pumpkin pie and fruit cobbler.

Delivery is available for $50 in Miami-Dade County or $95 in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Orders must be placed by noon on Thursday, November 19, for Thanksgiving Day pickup or delivery.

Order: Michelle Bernstein Catering

CalaMillor Miami: A Spanish Thanksgiving for Eight

Miami | Serves eight | $420

CalaMillor's Thanksgiving package brings Spanish touches to a traditional American holiday meal.

The spread includes Mediterranean tuna salad, 16 croquettes featuring Cinco Jotas Ibérico and cod, green bean casserole, roasted turkey with gravy, homemade stuffing, herb-butter potatoes, yellow rice with garlic, cranberry sauce and Galician bread.

Dessert is a choice of pumpkin or pecan pie. Additional sides and whole pies can be ordered separately.

Orders require 48 hours' notice.

Order: CalaMillor Thanksgiving Menu

Rose Cafe & Restaurant: A Holiday Feast for Smaller Gatherings

Sunny Isles Beach | $199 for four; $275 for eight to ten

Rose Cafe is offering a Thanksgiving catering menu built around whole slow-roasted organic turkey, gravy, butternut squash soup, arugula salad with apple and Gorgonzola, mashed sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts with pancetta, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

Orders must be placed by November 23.

The restaurant will also be open Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., serving seasonal à la carte dishes such as pumpkin ravioli, slow-cooked turkey and pumpkin tiramisu.

Information: Rose Cafe & Restaurant

Plum Market Aventura: Thanksgiving Made Easy

Aventura | Serves eight | $280

Plum Market's Thanksgiving Dinner Package includes a 14- to 16-pound all-natural turkey, gravy, vegetarian stuffing, mashed potatoes and house-made cranberry sauce.

The specialty grocer also offers seasonal floral arrangements and additional holiday provisions, making it a practical option for hosts assembling the entire table.

Orders must be placed by November 24. The store will be open Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sufrat Mediterranean Grill: A Thanksgiving Table Without Turkey

Multiple South Florida locations | $235–$325 | Serves ten

Sufrat offers a different approach to holiday catering, with Mediterranean platters designed for sharing.

Packages feature combinations of hummus, baba ghanoush, tzatziki, labneh, muhammara, grape leaves, kibbeh, grilled kebabs, lamb chops, shawarma, rice and Greek salad.

The three available packages serve approximately ten guests, making them particularly useful for Friendsgiving gatherings or families looking to add Mediterranean dishes to the holiday table.

Information: Sufrat Mediterranean Grill

 

Burlock Coast: Thanksgiving to Go

Fort Lauderdale | Serves six to eight | $395++

Burlock Coast at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale is also offering a complete Thanksgiving feast for home entertaining.

The package costs $395 before applicable taxes and charges. Orders must be placed by Wednesday, November 25.

Orders: 954-302-6430

Friendsgiving and the Celebrations Around Thanksgiving

The holiday has gradually expanded beyond a single Thursday. Restaurants are using the surrounding weekends to host gatherings that are less formal, more social and occasionally far removed from the traditional turkey dinner.

R House Wynwood is introducing a Thanksgiving edition of its drag brunch on November 21–22 and November 28–29. The $65 experience includes performances, bottomless drinks and holiday-inspired dishes such as turkey sliders, hot honey fried chicken, jalapeño cornbread and pumpkin spice French toast. Bottomless pumpkin spice espresso martinis are available for an additional $10.

Delilah Miami is hosting a Friendsgiving celebration on Wednesday, November 25, with a special roast turkey croquette featuring cranberry, Dijon and sage ($14), served within its glamorous supper-club setting overlooking Biscayne Bay.

dōma Wynwood is offering a three-course, truffle-inspired Friendsgiving menu for $85, featuring dishes such as soft egg, octopus, beef carpaccio, filet mignon and truffle tagliolini, alongside a seasonal bourbon cocktail with cranberry, allspice and honey. The announcement does not specify the event date, so guests should confirm directly.

Santorini by Georgios in Fort Lauderdale is also introducing a Greek-inspired Thanksgiving menu, with choices including crispy halloumi, spanakopita, roasted turkey, braised short rib and Mediterranean branzino, accompanied by whipped feta mashed potatoes, herb stuffing and pistachio baklava. A private preview is scheduled for November 13; public Thanksgiving service details have not yet been confirmed.

For those planning a less formal holiday outing, Bakey in Hallandale Beach is celebrating the season throughout November with pumpkin babka, mushroom quiche, cinnamon lollipops and comforting soups. It's a particularly useful stop for anyone looking to bring something different to a Friendsgiving table.

The Thanksgiving Table Is Changing

Thanksgiving remains one of the few American holidays organized almost entirely around a meal, and perhaps that's why people feel so strongly about what belongs on the table.

For some, the answer will always be roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pie, preferably prepared from family recipes that haven't changed in decades. Others are happy to make room for truffles, fresh pasta, ceviche, Champagne or an entirely different culinary tradition.

South Florida's restaurants have embraced both approaches.

This year's offerings range from the careful formality of The Surf Club to the generosity of a waterfront buffet, from elaborate Italian-American feasts to chef-prepared meals delivered directly to the dining room.

There is no obligation to surrender a beloved family tradition simply because someone else is doing the cooking. The point, after all, is to gather around a table with people whose company matters.

And if leaving the roasting pan, carving knife and mountain of dishes to a professional kitchen makes that gathering a little more enjoyable, it seems an entirely reasonable way to give thanks.